Real Madrid continue to grind out results when it matters in the race to the La Liga title as Sergio Ramos scores a second-half penalty to ensure a 0-1 victory against Athletico Bilbao.
The Real captain stepped up to convert from the spot with just seventeen minutes to go to score his 10th goal of the season and his fifth in just seven games since La Liga returned to action in June.
https://youtu.be/LIP8x35Q-n0
The game saw very few chances as Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, made just a single save during the game.
Courtois became the first goalkeeper to keep 17 clean sheets for Real in a single La Liga season since Francisco Buyo in 1994/95.
Zinedine Zidane’s side needs to win three of their remaining four games to secure a second La Liga title since 2012.
Madrid secured a vital win at a ground where they have often struggled in the past, although one that will surely be of huge significance come the end of the campaign.
The first period was largely forgettable, with chances at a premium in the baking heat of San Mames, only for Madrid to step it up after the break, although they were made to wait until 20 minutes to go to make the decisive breakthrough.
Barcelona put 4 past Villareal in a fine display
Barcelona forward, Antoine Griezmann, produced one of his finest Barcelona performances as he scored a stunner in his side’s 4-1 win at Villarreal.
Barca looked really hungry at the El Madrigal and took a third-minute lead when Jordi Alba’s cross was turned into his own net by Pau Torres, under severe pressure from the Frenchman.
Villarreal leveled within 10 minutes as a Paco Alcacer-led break ended with Marc-Andre ter Stegen turning Santi Cazorla’s effort straight at Gerard Moreno, who could not miss.
Lionel Messi then brilliantly created Barcelona’s second when he won the ball in midfield and fed it to Luis Suarez – who curled in from 20 yards. The Barca captain then backheeled to Antoine Griezmann, who scored a magnificent chip.
Ansu Fati blasted in a late fourth coming on from the bench to net his sixth goal of the season.
https://youtu.be/sDAPdg8uY14
Barcelona pulled up to the game in a narrow 4-3-1-2 formation and reaped the rewards within minutes when Alba, given free rein down the left, crossed for the unfortunate Torres to turn the ball past his own goalkeeper before Griezmann had the chance.
They struggled to hold on yet again as Villareal drew level when Gerard Moreno pounced on a spilled shot from Stegen to make it 1 – 1.
But Barca wasn’t ready to continue in that stead and showed a resolve they have been missing in recent weeks to restore their lead. Messi’s typically strong run was followed by an inch-perfect ball into Suarez, who struck it perfectly into Asenjo’s far corner.
They ensured Villareal wouldn’t muster yet another leveler as Barcelona increased the lead shortly before half-time. A new and full of confidence Griezmann went one better from a similar position, lifting Messi’s backheel over Asenjo, who was a couple of yards at most off his line.
Villareal’s boss made two quick changes after the restart to try and contain the Barcelona force but Barca’s crisp counter-attacking play was still dangerous as youngster, Fati displayed another moment of quality to add to his collection by collecting Alba’s long ball forward, running at Raul Albiol and slotting inside Asenjo’s near post.
Other results
Espanyol was all-but relegated after their 1-0 home defeat to Leganes left them 11 points from safety with four games to play, while Getafe lost ground in the race for the Champions League qualifying spots with a 0-0 draw at Osasuna.
It’s still a toss up on who wins the La Liga this season.,.